Title : World heritage oysters – A cultural story from regional Australia
Abstract:
Shark Bay, Western Australia is one of the World’s most biodiverse regions and it is one of the few places in the World that have met all four natural criteria for World Heritage listing. This pristine natural environment is located approximately 800km north of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The project site consists of a 400ha Aquaculture Site and approximately 544ha (1345 acres) of Freehold Land, with around 4.5km of ocean frontage. Two species of Rock Oysters are currently farmed – Saccostrea cucullata (Tropical Rock Oyster) and Saccostrea glomerata (Sydney Rock Oyster). The oyster spats are obtained from Albany Shellfish Hatchery, located alongside the cool waters of the Southern Ocean, on the remote southern coast of Western Australia, and are translocated to the project site by air and road. Longlines are used with Oyster Baskets in an intertidal setup. Various density trials have been conducted to determine ideal stocking densities. This aquaculture project is unique because it uses timeless cultural values to create a modern story for Regional Australia. It brings together land and sea with an innovative interpretation of culture and marine science to enable the story of the World Heritage Oyster to evolve and succeed. The entire project is the catalyst for a uniquely produced, and located, Rock Oyster industry in Western Australia.
What will the audience learn from your presentation?
• A brief overview of Rock Oyster farming in a World Heritage Area
• How cultural values can help craft a story for future generations
• Why it is important to teach young people to look after the land and sea
